Fast synthesis of carbon microspheres via a microwave-assisted reaction for sodium ion batteries

A fast microwave-assisted approach was developed to fabricate carbon microspheres (CSs) using sucrose as the precursor in a microwave system. After thermal treatment at 300, 500, 700 and 1000 degrees C, the CSs were used as anode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). The results show that CSs treated at 500 degrees C exhibit a maximum capacity of 183 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 30 mA g(-1) after 50 cycles, and even at a high current density of 1000 mA g(-1) a capacity of 83 mA h g(-1) is maintained. The high capacity, good cycling stability and excellent rate performance of CSs, due to their unique spherical structure, make them a promising candidate for anode materials for SIBs.